19th Symposium on Meteorological Observations and Instrumentation

To ensure the success of our enterprise in the future, the 2018 AMS Annual Meeting theme is devoted to exploring our culture of communication. The years 2019–20 will mark an inflection point for the AMS as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Regardless of how we communicated during the past century, the next 100 years will unquestionably be far different and ever-changing. Formidable challenges remain in communicating emergency actions simply, expressing probabilistic/uncertainty information clearly, honing our predictive skills for chaotic systems, and perfecting our data collection and analysis techniques, all of which will be happening across scientific disciplines and between the government, academic, and commercial sectors, as well as with international collaborators. The intent of the 2018 Annual Meeting theme is to enhance our scientific conference with a focus on communication science and practice as the cornerstone upon which we can stand and lead through innovative, unifying solutions to enhance and strengthen our enterprise.

Topics Covered

Papers for this conference are solicited on integrated instrumentation and observing systems for all applications, metadata, network design, accuracy, instrument test beds, inter-comparison and calibration of instruments and remote sensing of the atmosphere. Additionally, papers on all aspects of observations (including new observations and physical parameterizations), innovative measurements, measurement systems, specialized instrumentation, and field projects will be welcome. It is anticipated to have two or more sessions on the use of UAV’s for atmospheric research that includes discussions on platforms, instrumentation, regulations, and science. In addition, to the sessions we plan on having a panel discussion on UAV’s for Atmospheric Science that will address where we are and where do we need to be in the future. The committee also encourages the organization of sessions by the community at large.

Student Award Opportunities

The AMS Measurements Committee is offering $500 travel awards for up to two student AMS members who are presenting papers/posters at the meeting. The award is to be used for travel expenses to and from the conference and lodging in Austin, TX Funding is available to both graduate and undergraduate students, but is limited to one award per educational institution. Furthermore, the awardee may not receive any concurrent travel support from the AMS (e.g., an AMS travel grant). The selected students will be required to pay for any travel up-front, and be reimbursed by AMS (Gillian Peguero, gpeguero@ametsoc.org) after the conference with proper receipts.

To apply, students should prepare a short written statement (no more than one page) declaring their financial need and circumstance, relevance of their research to the conference, and how they will benefit from attending the conference. Applicants should also provide a copy of their abstract for the meeting. Applications should be sent in pdf format via email to the conference chair: Bruce Baker (bruce.baker@noaa.gov). Applications will be accepted through 15 October 2017 and selected students will be notified around the end of November 2017. Interested applicants or questions about the award should contact the conference Chair. The measurements committee will evaluate and vote for student award winners based on these written statements with names/affiliations removed.

The Robert Leviton Student Prize is presented for the best student paper on the development or evaluation of atmospheric instrumentation or unique measurement techniques. The Committee on Measurements will submit a recommendation to the STAC Commissioner, who approves the recommendation. To be considered for the prize, an entrant should either be enrolled as a full-time student or be a student who has just completed a degree but has not yet begun employment at the time the paper is given or submitted for publication. The prize, an AMS reference book, $200, plus a certificate, was established to recognize Robert Leviton, who devoted nearly his entire professional career to endeavors related to the measurement of wind, temperature, pressure, and humidity in the atmosphere. He was one of the pioneers in reducing large datasets from radiosondes using a computer.

The AMS measurements committee will review all student presentations and posters at the Symposium and provide an evaluation to the committee chair. The chair will tally votes provided by the committee members to distribute this award. In the event of a tie, the committee will vote on the finalists.

Authors of accepted presentations will be notified via e-mail by late-September 2017. All extended abstracts are to be submitted electronically and will be available on-line via the Web. Instructions for formatting extended abstracts will be posted on the AMS Web site. Authors have the option to submit manuscripts (up to 10 MB) electronically by 12 February 2018. All abstracts, extended abstracts and presentations will be available on the AMS Web site at no cost.

Conference Contact(s)

"TransformingCommunication in the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise"

Communication is a dynamic, powerful, and essential part of the weather, climate, and water enterprise. Successful communication requires active engagement – not only thinking about what, when, where, how, why, and to whom we speak but also carefully listening to better understand and respond appropriately.